New Yankee Chan Ho Park: "Philadelphia was the no. 1 choice."
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New Yankee Chan Ho Park: "Philadelphia was the no. 1 choice."
Andy Martino
TAMPA--As a reporter, it is my job to be skeptical of messages like "the Phillies have one of the best clubhouses in baseball, and many players want to play for the team." It's not that I'm supposed to be overly negative about something like that; I just have to make sure that it isn't mere spin, repeated so many times that it begins to feel like truth.
In the past week, I've had the chance to touch base with Cliff Lee and Chan Ho Park, two short-term visitors to the Philly area--and two guys who seem to wish they were in Clearwater this month. Both pitched well in 2009, and both hoped to return this season. Lee, of course, was part of the Halladay mega-deal. Park was, in Brad Lidge's estimation, "the MVP of our bullpen" last season, but the team did not re-sign him.
After failing to reach an agreement with agent Jeff Borris in December, the Phils moved on to sign Danys Baez and Jose Contreras instead. It was a gamble for the team, swapping a known quantity for two players yet to succeed in Philadelphia. And for Park, like Lee, it was extremely disappointing. The more you see former Phillies shake their heads, shrug, and say how much they loved it in that clubhouse, the more real the Phils current reputation seems.
Park was no exception. Standing in the locker room of the defending champs, dressed in the iconic pinstripes, Park made clear that he regretted leaving Philadelphia.
He began by saying the right things about becoming a Yankee. "They have the most history, and they are popular in the world, even in Korea," Park said. "When I grew up, they were a symbol--New York. Yankees."
But he spent most of his time yesterday talking about an off-season he called "frustrating."
"I had a wish after the season," he said. "Philadelphia was the no. 1 choice. I had a tough time leaving there. I had much support from fans and community, and I had the best teammates there, so..."
Well, he was asked, why didn't it work out with the Phils?
"Too late. Too late. Too late. It didn't work well in the beginning, and later on, too late," he said.
Basically, Park orginally expected a raise from the Phils, feeling that a strong performance had earned him more than the $2.5 million he made in 2009. His agents negotiated with Amaro through mid-December, and then the Phils decided to move on. Park was shocked.
"They were talking, and it didn't work," he said. "Trying to get a deal, and it didn't work out, and then later on they just gave up, and I lost."
He eventually signed for one year, $1.2 million to become a Yankees reliever. Park said that while he still preferred starting--and claimed to have drawn interest as a starter from several teams, though he declined to name those teams--he was more comfortable in the relief role than ever before.
"I knew a lot of teams were going to expect more" from him as a reliever, Park said. I" had success in the bullpen last year and the year before."
Park also addressed the criticism leveled by Charlie Manuel this winter. In complimenting Baez and Contreras as pitchers who would never refuse to take the ball, even if injured, Manuel was clearly taking a shot at Park. It is likely that Manuel's view of Park as a victim of frequent minor injuries contributed to the Phils lack of aggressiveness in pursuing the pitcher.
"I was disappointed in what he said," said Park. "That's what he thinks, but I don't think it has any meaning. He still is my favorite manager. I didn't talk to him, and I didn't believe it (when he first heard about the comments). But who cares? He's still my favorite manager. The whole team; they're the best. That's why it's so difficult to leave. The fans, especially the fans. They're the best.
"(It is) mostly sad...to leave Philadelphia. I had fun last year. Good memories and things. That makes me sad, but in the future (I'm on) a good team, and we have a chance to win. That's what's most important."
Comments (62)
Yet another pitcher telling a completely different story to the Media than his agent told the Phillies. Maybe it's time for MLB to put rules in place to prevent agents from poisoning the well.— Pelti
It was reported that the Phils offer to Park was for about $3 mil. That is a raise.— rolan01us- if he liked it here so much he should have accepted the contract that was offered. he failed as a starter, and over thought his value. Seems from Lee and Park, the Phillies do not mess around with that budget. You either fit inside it or they will find someone who will.— alwaysanotherview
- I don't get it. We have a closer that takes the ball while injured, and gets rocked and costs us games. But that's the preferred option over a middle reliever that refuses the ball due to whatever minor injury he has? This macho nonsense costs us games, plain and simple. I commend Park for speaking up and avoiding being placed in a situation where he would fail and cost us a game. Manuel and Lidge ought to wise up.— UncleEddie
- I agree. People call it collusion all they want, but if teams decided to start refusing to work with certain agents the sport will be better for teh long run. See: Boras, Scott.— fiveforone
- I dont agree with starting something based on speculation that Manuel was taking a shot at Park. If he wanted to point out Park, he would have specifically. Otherwise, dont read into it. Good point by UncleEddie on the macho attitude on Lidge that hurt the team— 93phils
- Martino continues with his Spring Training coverage of non-Philly players. Park was offered $3.5 million from the Phillies but, once again, thought he could be a starting pitcher and was holding out for more money and the chance to start elsewhere so the Phillies moved on. Park can blame his agents if he's looking for someone to blame. They overplayed their hand. By the way, why does Martino need to ask other players about the Phillies clubhouse? Aren't you around this team all the time as a local reporter? Can't you figure out whether there are quality people in the clubhouse by spending that much time around these guys? As for this quote "Park also addressed the criticism leveled by Charlie Manuel this winter. In complimenting Baez and Contreras as pitchers who would never refuse to take the ball, even if injured, Manuel was clearly taking a shot at Park." That is your opinion. You say "clearly" Manuel was taking a shot at Park which that is just opinion and speculation. We had a number of relievers who were hurt at various times last year - Lidge, Madson, Romero, Durbin, Condrey, Eyre, etc. It is totally bush league for you to run to a player and tell him that Manuel said something critical about him to the media when that is just your interpretation of what Manuel said. You are running around talking to all of these ex-Phillies this Spring. Why don't you take that quote to Manuel and ask him who he was talking about? Have you done that yet? Nope.— JimG
- Park should have fired his agent and taken the Philles offer. He's now making half and playing for a team who beat his previously favorite team. Agents are scum.— PhilCali
- Well said JimG.....I was thinking pretty much the same thing.— DJ4040
- If Boras and Lee's agent were so wonderful, they should have known that Amaro has a shorter timeline on negotiations. Boras played with Amaro, and Park lost. He goes to the Yankees for less money. Tough s---.— Bob1
Comment removed.- agree jimg,in fact when i heard charlies comments,park never came to my mind,thought he was talking about the bullpen in general last year— soliteryman
""Park should have fired his agent and taken the Philles offer. He's now making half """change PARK to DAMON (and others) whose agent did them wrong.Danon had a great deal with the yanks and BORAS PRESSED -Yanks said adios-seems some agents dont realise the economic times--just their pockets.— HO HUM
Well put JimG. These guys are always looking for more than they can get, and he was nieve enough to believe his agent. Sad, but we're movin' on. Apparently there is not much trust between phillies players/management and the media here. Imagine that, after these antagonistic, negative, and opinionated stories!- Let's move on, shall we? It's time to focus on OUR season and what we DO have, which is a darn good team with a really good chance to make to the WS again. Bye, Chan Ho, Park your car in Yankee Stadium. We'll see you in the Fall Classic!— TerryW
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